THE organisers of next year's Oxegen festival said they have cut ticket prices to 2007 levels as they attempt to drum up early interest in the event.

Despite the fact that none of the acts for the three-day event in Kildare has yet been announced, and the event does not take place until next July, tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am.

"We're rolling back the clock, with a limited batch of Early Bird tickets for Oxegen 2010 going on sale at 2007 prices," promoters MCD said in a statement yesterday. "How's that for the ultimate Christmas present?"

Last year, MCD introduced a deferred payment scheme to ensure cash-strapped music fans again plumped for the Punchestown event but the 'sold out' signs did not go up until the festival was under way.

This year, the cheapest three-day tickets (without camping) will cost €179.50 while those with camping will cost €199.50 between next Friday and the end of the year.